The sky was at its bluest and the clouds their whitest on that sunny but crisp October afternoon as I sped down the interstate trying, by sheer force of will, to shorten the two-hour trip to the hospital. I had no room for thoughts other than the silent whispered prayers for intercession.
My dad had begun hemorrhaging and the ambulance summoned by my mother had just pulled out of the driveway when she called my office. There were so many things I needed to say and words I needed to hear. This man had been central in my life for 40 years and I found it impossible to believe we didn’t have more time. Death always comes as an ugly surprise, regardless of age or circumstance.
Racing at 85 mph, hoping there were no state troopers lurking behind the berms, my hands shook and my heart beat as though I had run a marathon. Suddenly, a song on the radio answered my questions, filled my need. I could hear my father talking to me, they were his words anyway, of that I was certain and they were telling me exactly what I wanted him to say and what I needed to say to him, “I will Always Love You.”
“And I hope life will treat you kind And I hope that you have all
That you ever dreamed of
Oh, I do wish you joy And I wish you happiness
But above all this I wish you love
I love you, I will always love you” Dolly Parton
So, all these years later, every time I hear this song I am pulled back in time. Even now writing this, my tears are as fresh as they were on that drive so many years ago and my heart swells with love and affection for the man who was my Dad.
It seems as though my every life event of consequence has a theme song and I relive days, both happy and sad, in the replay of the music. Richard Thompson’s “Dimming of the Day” reminds me that I have loved and been loved in return, that the intimacy that completes the circle is not beyond the sphere merely out of reach.
I allow myself to swim in Clair de Lune; my heart swells, I hold my breath, waiting…..waiting…..for that next bar that will take me through the waves and out to sea.
How can I limit my words about the power of music in my life? I have a dear friend, a songwriter and performer, who saw me teetering on the edge of an abyss and sent me his song “Some Things You Gotta Keep, Some Things You Throw Away.” The words brought me back to safety and I carry them with me always, remembering and calling them up when I need them the most. Billy Preston and Dennis Wilson’s “You Are So Beautiful” was the lullaby I sang my baby daughter and even as I hear it today, I can feel her in my arms, fighting the sleep that wants to carry her away and I can smell that beautiful scent that is my child. When I leave this earth, these are the memories that I will carry with me into eternity.
Music is such a powerful influence in my life, a companion, a friend, a shelter, something to which I turn for comfort as well as pleasure. Some people hear music as background sound but for others of us, it colors our soul and rounds out the edges that are sharpest. It is the nourishment that sustains us after we have been living on bread and water.
When writing about my photography, I said “Great images are the ones that make me wonder what happened one millisecond before the click of the lens or one millisecond after the image was captured. A great photo, like a great piece of music, is one that carries me into the unknown. Its the river on which I can travel toward the ocean.”
Tales of Liberty and lesser things 
April 8th, 2015 at 6:26 am
First of all, it is a pleasure to meet you, Dee. I’m following the course too.
Second of all, thanks for a touching and beautiful post.
I commend you for speaking from the heart.
Every single word here speaks volumes, speaks about the power of music to translate our deep thoughts and emotions in a comprehensible manner. It speaks about the healing power of music.
It speaks of the power of sharing experiences from heart to heart, reminding us that we all go through ups and downs, and should never be afraid to share it, as friends will always be there to let us never fall from the cliff.
Finally, it speaks about love. Love for our family and friends, those who are our safe harbors, and who may not anymore be physically present in our lives, but never leave our hearts.
And music brings them back there.
Heartfelt thanks. It is a beautiful post.
Lucile
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April 8th, 2015 at 6:49 am
Music is a bridge over which we travel hand in hand. Thank you for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed the tale.
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April 8th, 2015 at 6:52 am
You’re most welcome.
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April 8th, 2015 at 6:27 am
I ended up hearing all the songs you have listed out……… you are right, music is a powerful influence…
Its a beautifully expressed, you bring out the story behind the music
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April 8th, 2015 at 6:47 am
Thank you for your kind words.
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April 8th, 2015 at 6:50 am
Welcome, i agree with Lucile, your post has been written from heart
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April 8th, 2015 at 8:02 am
Beautiful, powerful, heartfelt. I have nothing else to say. Thank you for the beautiful read.
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April 8th, 2015 at 8:05 am
Thank you so much TK. It always warms my spirit when something I have written is enjoyed by others.
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April 8th, 2015 at 8:38 am
Your line, “Music is such a powerful influence in my life, a companion, a friend, a shelter, something to which I turn for comfort as well as pleasure.” hit home for me. Music is a part of life and I cannot imagine life without it.
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April 8th, 2015 at 8:48 am
I think that creative people are unable to limit themselves to one single form of creativity. Music goes hand in hand with writing, and sculpting and photographing. We chronicle life.
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April 8th, 2015 at 8:47 am
What a wonderful, heartfelt, bitter-sweet post. A pleasure to read, I look forward to your other posts on the course page.
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April 8th, 2015 at 9:00 am
Thank you Dan. I agree with your comment that there is no way we can limit ourselves to a mere 3. Unthinkable. Good choices by the way, particularly Joe Bonamassa!
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April 8th, 2015 at 9:59 am
on some level music has always been powerful to me. reading this makes me see better how powerful it can be. thank you
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April 8th, 2015 at 10:21 am
Thanks for taking the time to read my entry today and for providing the feedback.
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April 8th, 2015 at 3:33 pm
I love music, also, and know the imprint many songs have made on my life. Sometimes, when I don’t have words to express myself, I can hear a song whose words mimic what I feel. I love what you said here. Thank you.
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April 8th, 2015 at 3:39 pm
Thank you Brenda. It seems the topic has resonated with so many of us and we all seem to be enjoying reading one another’s story. Thank you for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed it.
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April 8th, 2015 at 5:40 pm
This is beautiful. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read it. You’ve said many things here that I had a hard time finding the words for myself.
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April 8th, 2015 at 6:30 pm
I always appreciate and am always surprised when people actually read my pe-nscratches. Thank you for the words of encouragement
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